Gloucestershire's Police and Crime Commissioner has announced the biggest shake-up in the force's structure in 40 years.
Martin Surl said he wanted to make the force more efficient at a time when the financial situation was 'tricky'.
The changes include:

A single neighbourhood command replacing six local command centres

Tablet computers for officers and PCSOs to allow them to file reports remotely and stay on the beat.

Officers to work beyond their local beat when needed.

The introduction of a new way of working, what the Constabulary calls its ‘Operating Model’, is the result of a two year long examination of all the constabulary’s finances, buildings and resources. The first changes will take effect early in 2015.

“I have to say that when I took office some aspects of the Constabulary were not in a great shape in Gloucestershire. That’s my personal view and I think I can show that to be the case.

“Now, the organisation is far more stable than it was. Even though the financial picture is tricky, we know where we are and our books balance. I’m not worried about it unduly. So I think we have managed to consolidate some of the gains we’ve made and can look forward to the future”.

– Martin Surl, Gloucestershire Police & Crime Commissioner

“Since Martin and I started working together, we have encouraged the development of a structure and culture that will allow Gloucestershire Constabulary to deliver a high quality service to the people of our county, by making the best possible use of our resources.

“The decisions we are making to realise these aims are based on solid evidence, recognised best practice from other forces and organisations, and by involving officers and staff in engineering new approaches.

“We need to improve public satisfaction and confidence in our force and ensure we can deliver the quality service we aspire to provide. A new way of working is a crucial means for us to deliver this aspiration."

Ian Anderson from Gloucestershire Police Federation says that while they understand police have to take a hit with pensions and pay, but feels that the police are being hit harder than other public sector workers: